Biogeographic implications of small mammals from Northern Highlands in Tanzania with first data from the volcanic Mount Kitumbeine

摘要: Small terrestrial mammals and their biogeographical affinities were studied on Mount Kitumbeine, one of the little known volcanoes in Gregory Rift Valley (northern Tanzania). In June, 2015, a total 10 species, two insectivores eight rodents, recorded during short-time sampling high altitude habitats. Taxonomic identification was based genetic data allowing zoogeographic interpretations. For most taxa, there clear link with fauna northern part Eastern Arc Mountains, but also species core distributions Albertine Mountains (Crocidura montis) as well taxa endemic to volcanic Northern Highlands (e.g. Hanang or Ngorongoro), such Lophuromys makundi probably Otomys angoniensis. Comparison genotyped small from Kitumbeine neighboring hills previously collected revealed first genetically confirmed Tanzanian records (C. montis stanleyi) (Lophuromys sabunii) is reported for time Zambia. The present study thus showed that, even well-studied areas like Tanzania, basic faunistic survey can still bring interesting results stressing need biota poorly areas.